On the Steps of the Temple

Yestereve, on the marble steps of the Temple, I saw
a woman sitting between two men. One side of
her face was pale, the other was blushing.

The Blessed City

In my youth I was told that in a certain city every
one lived according to the Scriptures.

And I said, “I will seek that city and the blessedness
thereof.” And it was far. And I made
great provision for my journey. And after forty
days I beheld the city and on the forty-first day I
entered into it.

And lo! the whole company of the inhabitants had each
but a single eye and but one hand. And I was
astonished and said to myself, “Shall they of
this so holy city have but one eye and one hand?”

then I saw that they too were astonished, for they
were marveling greatly at my two hands and my two
eyes. And as they were speaking together I inquired
of them saying, “Is this indeed the Blessed
City, where each man lives according to the Scriptures?”
And they said, “Yes, this is that city.”

“And what,” said I, “hath befallen
you, and where are your right eyes and your right
hands?”

And all the people were moved. And they said,
“Come thou and see.”

And they took me to the temple in the midst of the
city. and in the temple I saw a heap of hands and
eyes. All withered. Then said I, “Alas!
what conqueror hath committed this cruelty upon you?”

And there went a murmur amongst them. And one
of their elders stood forth and said, “This
doing is of ourselves. God hath made us conquerors
over the evil that was in us.”

And he led me to a high altar, and all the people
followed. And he showed me above the altar an
inscription graven, and I read:

“If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out
and cast it from thee; for it is profitable for thee
that one of thy members should perish, and not that
the whole body should be cast into hell. And
if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off and cast
it from thee; for it is profitable for thee that one
of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole
body should be cast into hell.”

Then I understood. And I turned about to all
the people and cried, “Hath no man or woman
among you two eyes or two hands?”